Thai investors will import 10 million pieces of jute sacks from
Bangladesh and also set up a number of hotels and resorts valued around
Tk 30.00 billion in Bangladesh.

It was disclosed at a meeting between members of Bangladesh Thai
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTCCI) led by its President MA Momen
and visiting Thai delegation led by Krishna Chandra Prabha, Ambassador
to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand held at Westin Hotel in
the city recently.

Apart from the members of the board of directors of BTCCI, eminent
business personalities of Bangladesh among them Samson H Chowdhury,
Chairman of Square Group and Director of BTCCI, Matiur Rahman, Chairman
of Uttara Group of Companies and former President of DCCI and BTCCI
past presidents RM Khan and Habib Sattar were present at the meeting.

The meeting discussed various ways and means to improve the existing
business volume of Bangladesh and Thailand, which was currently valued
at US$ 600 million although very much in favour of Thailand.

The leader of the Thai delegation Prabha stressed on strengthening
the role of both the countries under the Bay of Bengal Initiative for
Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Framework.

The Thai ambassador detailed out the success of holding in
Bangladesh the Made in Thailand programme which included holding of the
Thai food festival and cultural shows that helped to brand Thailand’s
product and services all over the world.

He mentioned that Thai government had granted already over 250 items
duty free access to Bangladesh and hoped that the balance of trade
would improve on the side of Bangladesh gradually in the near future.

He introduced in the meeting two investors from Thailand who were
keen and would soon sign a contract for importing jute goods from and
also set up a number of hotels and resorts.

The leader of the delegation expressed hope that both Bangladesh and
Thailand being members of BIMSTEC would strengthen their roles to
improve and increase their trade and investments in the region.

A multimedia presentation was made by Dr Winai Dahlan, Director of
Halal Science Center of Chulalongkorn University signifying the
importance of Halal food as a scientific and hygienic exportable
product not only for Muslims but also for all universal consumers in
the present world.

Dr Wanai suggested that Bangladesh could obtain a lot of information
and take advantage from their institute to help elevate its position as
an exporter of Halal foods, which is accepted as a new practice and
concept all over the world.

BTCCI President MA Momen emphasized the importance of such meetings
and knowledge sharing and vowed its commitment to improve Bangladesh’s
trade and investment opportunities with Thailand in the coming days.

He said areas like tourism, health, backward linkage industries,
infrastructure, ICT, agro based industries and business had great
potentials for exploration to benefit both the countries.

All members present felt that economic relations depended greatly on
give-and-take policies based on equilibrium and reciprocity. The BTCCI
leader pledged to act as a private sector bridge to help promote
bilateral business relationship with both the countries’ governments
and business people.

The meeting ended with a vote of thanks conveyed by the BTCCI Senior
Vice President Salahuddin Abdullah followed by a dinner hosted by the
BTCCI in honour of the visiting Thai delegation and Royal Thai Embassy
representatives in Bangladesh.

Also present on the Thai side were Chalermpol Thanchitt, Ambassador
of Thailand to Bangladesh, Usa Wijarun, Minister Councilor and Head of
Thai Trade Center in Dhaka, Rapipong Banchong, First Secretary of Royal
Thai Embassy and Karnchana Theparuck, Assistant DG of Department of
Export Promotion under Ministry of Commerce, Thailand.